Vamos a Barcelona

Even though my European vacation has come to an end, I feel like I was just in Barcelona soaking up the sun a few days ago. I adore this city, and I cannot wait for the opportunity to return to the capital of Catalonia to explore more of its vibrant culture while enjoying endless tapas and sangria.

When I travel to a foreign country, I try to submerge myself in the local traditions, cuisines and fashion of course, and my stay in Barca followed suit. I only had three days to explore this city, so I crammed in several excursions over 72 hours. If you’re on a quick jaunt to Barcelona, be sure to add these three things to your list of places to visit.

1. Park Guell: I live for art, and architecture so naturally I had to visit a few of Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi’s structures around the city. One of the most beautiful aesthetics I saw on my trip is Park Guell. I highly recommend adding this site to your list of things to do in Barcelona; especially if this is your first time in this city.

Helpful tip: Consider wearing comfortable shoes to Parc Guell because all of the trails, mosaic structures, and bridges will leave you yearning for more. Trust me climbing to the top of the terrace where you can experience a stunning view of the city beyond the gorgeous mosaic tiled bench is irresistable.

2. Sagrada Familia: Another Barcelona must see is the Sagrada Familia Cathedral located in the Gothic Quarter. Though this church is under construction, it is still worth visiting to marvel at the intricate details and view this impressive masterpiece. Jordi Fauli is the current architect overseeing the construction who estimates that the final stage of the spires and main facade will be completed by 2026.

Helpful tip: Consider purchasing a ticket and booking a tour time in advance. An individual ticket is about 15 euros which excludes a tower visit.

3. La Boqueria: If food is more of your thing, then I highly recommend checking out La Boqueria. This market is hands down one of the best food markets I have ever visited. The seemingly endless varieties of fruits, juices, vegetables, meats, spices, and cheese will leave your head spinning in delight. I could easily drink a cup of fresh squeezed juice from this market every day for the rest of my life.

Helpful tip: La Boqueria is a huge tourist attraction so be prepared to battle the crowds. Try going early in the morning or right before the market closes at 8:30 pm to avoid the large groups of people. Also, make sure you check out the entire market before you make a purchase because some vendors offer the same goods for cheaper prices.

After visiting some of the major attractions in Barcelona head to a local beach to relax and enjoy the Meditteranean sea. Barcelona is known for its beautiful beaches and was voted number one for the top city beaches around the world by National Geographic. Since I planned to visit several islands within Europe on my vacation, going to the beach in Barcelona was not a huge priority for me, but it was something I had to experience on this trip. Barceloneta beach is one of the most famous beaches in Barcelona. This beach is definitely worth visiting and is roughly 3 km away from La Rambla, a central area in Barcelona where I stayed.